Special Guests at our January 10, 2026 50th Anniversary Celebration

You will not want to miss this once in a lifetime celebration of our Club's 50th anniversary with all of the members, past members and local community leaders who will be joining us.  Of special note is the 2025-26 President of Optimist International Tom Kendo from Ohio who will share his thoughts of "Be the Change" with us.  To understand OI President Tom, you first need to understand his boundless energy.  Described by his wife, Jennifer, as the "loud, gregarious life of the party," Tom brings a powerful enthusiasm to everything he does, fueled by a genuine love for people and deeply held belief in the power of Optimism.  It's this combination of personality and principle that he plans to harness as he leads the organization into its next chapter.

Tom became Governor of the Ohio District for the 2017-2018 term, leading the district to Distinguished and Outstanding honors.  As a husband, father, and now grandfather to baby Elliott, Tom's life has always about bringing out the best in others.  He brings that same spirit to his presidency, driven by the understanding that "Our youth need us now more than ever".  He calls on fellow members to embrace the core mission: "We as Optimists need to bring out the best in our youth, our communities, and ourselves."

His leadership embodies the conviction that by working together, embracing necessary change, and leading with positive vision, Optimists can ensure a vibrant and impactful future for generations to come.

"The future of Optimism is in our hands," President Tom says, "so let's get to work.  Let's have fun. and Let's be the change!"

Great words for the Optimist Club of Jasper as we CELEBRATE and press on to the greater achievements of the FUTURE!

Optimist International President Tom Kendo